Ej sve!
We had our first lesson this week! We met this woman at a bus stop and she said she met with the missionaries two years ago through English classes, and as we were talking with her she said she would like to practice her English again. So for our first lesson she took us to a beach, and we chit chatted. She had some issues with Joseph Smith and isn't really willing to try to investigate into the church but we're going to try to help her to pray and go from there. We had another lesson with this family we tracted into. They are the cutest little family and seem interested in what we had to say. We haven't met a second time yet but hopefully I have more exciting news next week :)
Last Friday, we had a zone conference in Zagreb which was so great! We got together and learned more about how to teach through the Spirit and just pretty much a pep talk about finding. We're all now so stoked to go out and find more people who are ready to receive the gospel! So on the way home I had quite the experience. Sestra Lethco and I split up so this mom and her son could sit next to each other. I sat by this woman about 50, and she wasn't very talkative especially after she found out that I didn't speak a lot of Croatian because she only speaks a little bit of English. After a little bit I asked about herself in the little Croatian that I do know, and she opened up a lot because it's just her and her dog, but she really loves Boća :) Then after talking about her dog, I asked her some phrases in Croatian and then one thing led to another and before I knew it I was talking about why I was on a mission and we shared experiences with each other about religious things and then she became my Baka (Grandma) of Rijeka. She wanted to make sure we made it home alright so she waited with us at the bus stop to go home and gave me a Catholic bracelet from France. We're going to see each other sometime this week. Plus hopefully she'll understand more of why I'm on a mission. We'll see how it goes.
This week was an awesome week and the language is slowly coming. I'm understanding more and more and asking more and more questions. I'm still lost a lot, but it's ok, because when I actually do understand, it will be one of my happiest days on my mission. The harder I work, the greater the prize. I know I am supposed to be here RIGHT NOW!!! Timing is everything to the Lord and as I continue to have faith and do the things He wants me to do, I will time everything perfectly through Him. Heavenly Father loves us. He wants us to return to Him and have no regrets. By praying, reading the scriptures, and following the Holy Ghost every day, we will return into His loving arms. I'm excited for what the next week will bring! Volim vas!!!
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Week #10
Bok sve!!!Ja sam na Hrvatska!!! I'm in Croatia!!! Wow what an amazing two weeks!!! The last week in the US for 16 months was fun and too slow. But now that I'm in Croatia, I don't think time can slow down fast enough! I'll start with our adventures in the airports. We made it to Minnesota great and then that's where all the trouble began. We got on our flight and for about 30 minutes into the flight they said that a windshield cracked, so we had to land and get on a new plane. In the meantime, I was talking to this lady who was on a church trip. We talked about churches and the differences between the churches. I don't even know how, but I taught her about the Plan of Salvation. She said, ˝Mmm interesting.˝ And then became really awkward. Then I told her if she wanted to learn more, we have a website and gave her a pass along card. When we landed, I talked to the man behind us because he was in their church group tour and on his name tag it said Fr. I asked him what that meant think Frank or something, but no. Father. Her pastor was sitting behind us the whole time! I realized why she was acting so weird. When we got on the new plane about 3 hours later, I decided not to mention religion unless she did. She didn't. Well hopefully in the future something will happen. So since we were about 5 hours behind schedule, we missed our connecting flight to Paris. The next one was 8 hours later. So we waited, again. But then my companions were able to talk with this famous tennis player from Brazil (I was studying and didn't realize they went to talk to someone two or three rows down) and gave him a pass along card. So maybe that's the reason we were in the airport for so long. Neznam (I don't know). But then we had no problems with the Paris airport other than trying to find a carry on that was checked in because there was no room on the flight and finding the gate but we had 8 hours so sve ok (all is ok). We made it to Zagreb at about 9.30 with a senior couple and President and his wife waiting for us. We were so excited to see them all!!! But then tragedy struck again and both of Sister Moody's and my bags were lost and all of the Elders had at least one bag lost. So good thing we were taught well to pack essentials in carry ons. Happy day!!!
But the even better day happened the next day, Thursday.We met with the President first thing, and then afterwards he told us where we were going. I'm in Rijeka!!! Rijeka is a place where sisters haven't been for about 2 years. There are only one set of Elders right now, so my companion, Sestra Lethco, and I are ˝white washing˝ Rijeka (pretty much starting from scratch but not the first ones here). Sestra Moody is in Osijek and Sestra Trumbo is in Bosnia!!! Yes, there are now 2 sets of Elders and 1 set of Sisters in Bosnia!!! I don't know much but I'm guessing every thing's going well!
So, my first week in Croatia was adventurist. Sestra Lethco is so awesome and so patient with me and the language. Whenever I start a conversation with someone, she takes over because I can only speak, and understand very little. And the parts that I do understand, I don't understand the context so I know the words but not the sentence. Like I hear if...I know...faith...Book of Mormon. So I don't know how to respond to that. But I was soo excited this morning. I almost had a whole conversation with someone without needing my companion's help! Yes, afterwards when I talked to her in English, I understood some of the questions wrong, but I answered close enough that it was right! Where before I would just start the conversation and then Sestra Lethco would take over and I would just look for words. My goal though next week is to be able to have a complete conversation with someone without Sestra Lethco needing to translate. Oh and if my English is bad, I'm going to blame it on the Croatian because I'm trying to think in Croatian as well as speak and understand in Croatian. So sorry if this doesn't make sense.
2 funny stories that happened this week, is that the first lesson we had tracted was with these women who let us in, we think now, to teach us the true gospel. They are Adventists and started playing this DVD in English about the Creation and where evil came from and it was a little weird. After a few minutes, we asked if we could talk to them since we don't have a lot of time. They said sure and they would burn a copy of the DVD for us. We were like ok and then traded the DVD for a Book of Mormon. After they taught us about what they believed, we talked about what we believed. Prayed both ways and then left. We didn't ask for a return appointment...The other funny story happened today. I was trying to speak to my companion in English. And this guy asked us if we were from the United States. I said yes in Croatian, and he asked if we understood Croatian. I said a little and I had only been here a week. We kept small talking and then he wanted to teach me swear words. I said, no I don't want to or need to. He then said some words and laughed which I think were swear words. He then asked us if we wanted to go out for drinks. We told him no. He asked why not (and this is after we explained we were missionaries). We told him we can't drink or date as missionaries. He kind of gave this bewildered look and then said good luck to us and left. First time I was hit on as a missionary and Sestra Lethco said it was her first too. So hopefully it doesn't happen again, but we are in Rijeka which is a university city, so there are a lot of college students around. We'll see.
My scripture for this week is Alma 32:43. This verse talks about waiting for the tree to bring forth fruit unto you. I was told a long time ago not to think waiting as sitting down but as a waiter in a restaurant--serving. I can't just sit around expecting for the rewards to come. I have to do my part. If I was a waiter in a restaurant and just sat around, I would never be paid. I need to work hard and be diligent. Only then will I find my reward. I know this gospel is true! And we can only receive the good word by searching for it and finding it ourselves. Others help us along the way, but others are not a strong foundation. Jesus Christ is the only strong foundation and the more we hold onto him, the easier life will be. Even when hard temptations and trials come, Christ will help us through. He will be our strength. Hold on! I love the strength I'm receiving the more I'm holding on through this trial of not understanding like anyone.
Volim vas! Love you all! Vidimo se! See you later! Do sljedući put!
Until next time!
Sestra Kristine Jolley
But the even better day happened the next day, Thursday.We met with the President first thing, and then afterwards he told us where we were going. I'm in Rijeka!!! Rijeka is a place where sisters haven't been for about 2 years. There are only one set of Elders right now, so my companion, Sestra Lethco, and I are ˝white washing˝ Rijeka (pretty much starting from scratch but not the first ones here). Sestra Moody is in Osijek and Sestra Trumbo is in Bosnia!!! Yes, there are now 2 sets of Elders and 1 set of Sisters in Bosnia!!! I don't know much but I'm guessing every thing's going well!
So, my first week in Croatia was adventurist. Sestra Lethco is so awesome and so patient with me and the language. Whenever I start a conversation with someone, she takes over because I can only speak, and understand very little. And the parts that I do understand, I don't understand the context so I know the words but not the sentence. Like I hear if...I know...faith...Book of Mormon. So I don't know how to respond to that. But I was soo excited this morning. I almost had a whole conversation with someone without needing my companion's help! Yes, afterwards when I talked to her in English, I understood some of the questions wrong, but I answered close enough that it was right! Where before I would just start the conversation and then Sestra Lethco would take over and I would just look for words. My goal though next week is to be able to have a complete conversation with someone without Sestra Lethco needing to translate. Oh and if my English is bad, I'm going to blame it on the Croatian because I'm trying to think in Croatian as well as speak and understand in Croatian. So sorry if this doesn't make sense.
2 funny stories that happened this week, is that the first lesson we had tracted was with these women who let us in, we think now, to teach us the true gospel. They are Adventists and started playing this DVD in English about the Creation and where evil came from and it was a little weird. After a few minutes, we asked if we could talk to them since we don't have a lot of time. They said sure and they would burn a copy of the DVD for us. We were like ok and then traded the DVD for a Book of Mormon. After they taught us about what they believed, we talked about what we believed. Prayed both ways and then left. We didn't ask for a return appointment...The other funny story happened today. I was trying to speak to my companion in English. And this guy asked us if we were from the United States. I said yes in Croatian, and he asked if we understood Croatian. I said a little and I had only been here a week. We kept small talking and then he wanted to teach me swear words. I said, no I don't want to or need to. He then said some words and laughed which I think were swear words. He then asked us if we wanted to go out for drinks. We told him no. He asked why not (and this is after we explained we were missionaries). We told him we can't drink or date as missionaries. He kind of gave this bewildered look and then said good luck to us and left. First time I was hit on as a missionary and Sestra Lethco said it was her first too. So hopefully it doesn't happen again, but we are in Rijeka which is a university city, so there are a lot of college students around. We'll see.
My scripture for this week is Alma 32:43. This verse talks about waiting for the tree to bring forth fruit unto you. I was told a long time ago not to think waiting as sitting down but as a waiter in a restaurant--serving. I can't just sit around expecting for the rewards to come. I have to do my part. If I was a waiter in a restaurant and just sat around, I would never be paid. I need to work hard and be diligent. Only then will I find my reward. I know this gospel is true! And we can only receive the good word by searching for it and finding it ourselves. Others help us along the way, but others are not a strong foundation. Jesus Christ is the only strong foundation and the more we hold onto him, the easier life will be. Even when hard temptations and trials come, Christ will help us through. He will be our strength. Hold on! I love the strength I'm receiving the more I'm holding on through this trial of not understanding like anyone.
Volim vas! Love you all! Vidimo se! See you later! Do sljedući put!
Until next time!
Sestra Kristine Jolley
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Week #9
Bok Obitelj!
We had some flight issues but we are finally here in Zagreb!!!
S ljubavi,
Sestra Kristine Jolley!
We had some flight issues but we are finally here in Zagreb!!!
S ljubavi,
Sestra Kristine Jolley!
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Week #8
Last E-mail from the MTC!!! I'm leaving this place!!! On Monday, March 12, 2012, I will be flying from the SLC airport at 8:36 am and landing in Minnesota at 12:15 pm, have a 5 hour layover, landing in Paris at 8:00 am for 1 1/2, then finally landing in Zagreb at 11:45 am. BAH!!! It's unreal! I've been waiting to be in Croatia for almost 7 months and now I'll be going in 6 days. WHOOHOO!!! But don't get me wrong things are hopping here at the MTC also.
A week ago today, we had devotional from a special speaker...Elder Jeffrey R. Holland. He was here just a few weeks ago with Elder Russel M. Nelson, so we assumed that we wouldn't be able to see anymore apostles.We were gratefully wrong. Also this past Sunday, our fireside was given by Alex Boye. Yes, be jealous. He gave a beautiful fireside about how we can touch people like him. We just need to be there. He explained through his conversion story and sang us songs with his fabulous voice. He touched a lot of missionaries who needed to be touched that night including myself.
Funny story: At TRC, we were teaching a convert Serbian about the Book of Mormon. We still don't understand the language a lot even though it's getting better. Well, I asked what we can do to prepare to make the most out of reading the Book of Mormon. I just saw him wiping his hands, and since I don't know how to say sure you can wash your hands if you want. I said, "Da" and afterward he told us he thought we meant that we needed to wash our hands before reading the Book of Mormon just like the Quaran. Woops. I just need to stop saying "Da" after I ask a question unless I know what they said. I think I could get into a lot more trouble.
Scripture of the week is Alma 17:11. This was such an up lifter for me. It talks about teaching the Lamanites and how through afflictions and trials, I will become an instrument in his hands. I just need to keep doing my part. I know this gospel is true. This is God's word. And I WANT to spread it to everyone that can hear! I know I won't make sense at least for the first 3 months, but I know that if I just keep speaking, God will let the spirit speak through me. I just need to speak. Thank you all for your support and love! Volim vas puno!
A week ago today, we had devotional from a special speaker...Elder Jeffrey R. Holland. He was here just a few weeks ago with Elder Russel M. Nelson, so we assumed that we wouldn't be able to see anymore apostles.We were gratefully wrong. Also this past Sunday, our fireside was given by Alex Boye. Yes, be jealous. He gave a beautiful fireside about how we can touch people like him. We just need to be there. He explained through his conversion story and sang us songs with his fabulous voice. He touched a lot of missionaries who needed to be touched that night including myself.
Funny story: At TRC, we were teaching a convert Serbian about the Book of Mormon. We still don't understand the language a lot even though it's getting better. Well, I asked what we can do to prepare to make the most out of reading the Book of Mormon. I just saw him wiping his hands, and since I don't know how to say sure you can wash your hands if you want. I said, "Da" and afterward he told us he thought we meant that we needed to wash our hands before reading the Book of Mormon just like the Quaran. Woops. I just need to stop saying "Da" after I ask a question unless I know what they said. I think I could get into a lot more trouble.
Scripture of the week is Alma 17:11. This was such an up lifter for me. It talks about teaching the Lamanites and how through afflictions and trials, I will become an instrument in his hands. I just need to keep doing my part. I know this gospel is true. This is God's word. And I WANT to spread it to everyone that can hear! I know I won't make sense at least for the first 3 months, but I know that if I just keep speaking, God will let the spirit speak through me. I just need to speak. Thank you all for your support and love! Volim vas puno!
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